Friday 15 October 2010 09.43 EDT
First published on Friday 15 October 2010 09.43 EDT

Sales of the Observer rebounded sharply in September, rising by 5.32% to 325,502 compared with August, according to monthly ABC figures released today.

The Sunday title's circulation was down by 15.59% year on year, however, as the quality market as a whole fell by 11.09% over a 12-month period.

Total average sales in September stood at 2,179,171, down from 2,450,896 in September 2009, but up 1.71% month on month.

The Sunday Times rose by 2.4% month on month and the Sunday Telegraph also increased sales slightly, but sales of the Independent on Sunday were down in September compared with August.

The Sunday Times sells more than its three quality rivals combined.

The Sunday Times

Headline circulation: 1,091,869

Month-on-month change: +2.4%

Year-on-year change: -9.55%

UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 1,033,331 (94.6% of total)

Overseas: 53,538

The Sunday Telegraph

Headline circulation: 507,860

Month-on-month change: +0.21%

Year-on-year change: -15.27%

UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 476,404 (93.8% of total)

Overseas: 31,456

The Observer

Headline circulation: 325,502

Month-on-month change: +5.32%

Year-on-year change: -15.59%

UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 332,342 (94.2% of total)

Overseas: 20,160

The Independent on Sunday

Headline circulation: 155,174

Month-on-month change: -0.99%

Year-on-year change: -0.80%

UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 74,790 (48.1% of total)

Overseas: 27.761

Headline circulation includes lesser rate sales, subscriptions, bulks – copies sold to airlines, rail companies, hotels and gyms for a nominal fee and given free to the public – and distribution in Ireland and overseas. UK and Ireland paid for circulation excludes bulks and overseas distribution

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